Sleeping area division system

ABSTRACT

A sleeping area division system for dividing up the sleeping area near the head of a bed, the system includes a bed with an upper surface. The upper surface includes a head edge and a foot edge positioned opposite of each other. A base has a bottom surface, a top surface, and a base perimeter edge. A base coupler is attached to and extends upwardly from the top surface. A post is attached to and extends upward from the base coupler. The post is positioned adjacent to the head edge. A shield is attached to the post adjacent to an upper end of the post and extends perpendicularly outwardly from the post. The shield extends over the upper surface of the bed to form a barrier between two persons on the bed when the shield is extended over the bed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to sleep area divider system and more particularly pertains to a new sleep area divider system for dividing up the sleeping area near the head of a bed. The device allows people sleeping in the same bed to have a barrier between their heads. The barrier is free standing and adjustable. The barrier reduces light and noise by adjacently positioned persons.

(2) Description of Related Art including information disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

The prior art relates to sleep area divider devices to divide persons sharing a bed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a bed with an upper surface. The upper surface includes a head edge and a foot edge positioned opposite of each other. A base has a bottom surface, a top surface, and a base perimeter edge. A base coupler is attached to and extends upwardly from the top surface. A post is attached to and extends upward from the base coupler. The post is positioned adjacent to the head edge. A shield is attached to the post adjacent to an upper end of the post and extends perpendicularly outwardly from the post. The shield extends over the upper surface of the bed to form a barrier between two persons on the bed when the shield is extended over the bed.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top front isometric view of a sleeping area division system according to an embodiment of the disclosure illustrating a deployed setup.

FIG. 2 is a top front isometric view of an embodiment of the disclosure illustrating the adjustability of the post and the screen deployment direction.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an embodiment of the disclosure illustrating the operational footprint of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an in use top front isometric view of an embodiment of the disclosure illustrating the positioning and interaction between the shield and bed.

FIG. 5 is a front side view of an embodiment of the disclosure illustrating the orientation of the disclosure when the screen is retracted into the support arm.

FIG. 6 is a rear side view of an embodiment of the disclosure illustrating the motion of the support and retention arms from the stored position.

FIG. 7 is a section view of an embodiment of the disclosure illustrating the interior workings of the screen housing when sectioned about the line illustrated in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 7 thereof, a new sleep area divider device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 7, the sleeping area division system 10 generally comprises a bed 12 with an upper surface 14. The upper surface 14 includes a head edge 16 and a foot edge 18 positioned opposite of each other. The head edge 16 of the bed 12 is the area of the bed where the system 10 will most often be deployed.

A base 20 includes a bottom surface 22, a top surface 24, and a base perimeter edge 26. The base perimeter edge 26 has a circular shape. The base perimeter edge 26 measures between 8.00 and 14.00 inches in diameter. A base coupler 28 is attached to and extends upwardly from the top surface 24. The base 20 may extend under the bed 12 to improve proximity to the head edge 16 of the bed 12.

A post 30 is attached to and extends upward from the base coupler 28. The post 30 is positioned adjacent to the head edge 16. The post 30 is removable from the base coupler 28. The post 30 has a first section 32. The first section 32 is engaged with and extends upwardly from the base coupler 28. The first section 32 has a height between 20.00 and 30.00 inches. A second section 34 is telescopically coupled to and extends upwardly from the first section 32. The second section 34 has a height between 20.00 and 30.00 inches. The second section 34 has an upper end 36. A locking member 38 is releasably engaged to each of the first 32 and second 34 sections at a selected point 40 relative to each other. The locking member 38 may use any method of releasable engagement sufficient to secure the first 32 and second 34 sections at the selected point 40. Locking member 38 securing methods may include twist lock frictional clamp means, telescoping clamps frictionally engaged by lever actuation, a biased detent and aligning apertures on the first 32 and second 34 sections, or a removable pin and aligning apertures on the first 32 and second 34 sections.

A shield 42 is attached to the post 30 adjacent to the upper end 36 of the post 30 and extends perpendicularly outwardly from the post 30. The shield 42 is extended over the upper surface 14 of the bed 12 to form a barrier between two persons on the bed 12 when the shield 42 is extended over the bed 12. The shield 42 has a support arm 44. The support arm 44 is attached to the post 30 adjacent to the upper end 36. The support arm 44 includes an attached end 46. The attached end 46 is pivotally coupled to the post 30 such that the support arm 44 is positionable in a deployed position 48 extending outwardly from the post 30 or in a stored position 50 extending downwardly toward the base 20. The support arm 44 is held in the deployed position 48 by any conventional mechanical structure including frictionally held joints, interlocking teeth, and mating pins and aligned apertures. The support arm 44 includes a housing 52 extending away from the attached end 46 a distance between 10.0 and 15.0 inches. The housing 52 is tubular in shape. The housing 52 has an elongated slot 54 extending therein orientated to open downwardly from the support arm 44 when in the deployed position. The elongated slot 54 extends within the screen housing 52 through both an interior 56 and exterior 58 surfaces. The elongated slot 54 has a width between 0.25 and 0.50 inches and a length between 9.5 and 14.5 inches.

A screen 60 is extended downwardly from within the support arm 44. The screen 60 has a bottom edge 62. A distance from the support arm 44 to the bottom edge 62 is greater than 10.0 inches when the screen 60 is fully deployed from the support arm 44. The screen 60 is attached to a spindle 64 mounted within the support arm 44. The spindle 64 is biased to rotate in a first direction 66. The screen 60 is retracted into the support arm 44 when the spindle 64 rotates in the first direction 66. The screen 66 is extended from the support arm 44 when the spindle 64 is rotated in a second direction 68. The screen 60 comprises a flexible material such that the screen 60 will roll onto the spindle 64 when the spindle rotates in the first direction 66. The screen 60 may include plastic sheets as well as natural and synthetic cloth materials. The screen 60 may particularly be comprised of a material through which light is not readily transmitted.

A retention arm 70 is attached to the post 30 and is positioned between the support arm 44 and the base 20. The retention arm 70 releasably engages the bottom edge 62 of the screen 60. The retention arm 70 is positioned at least 10.0 inches below the support arm 44. The retention arm 44 is pivotally coupled to the post 30 such that the retention arm 70 is positionable in the deployed position 72 extending outwardly from the post 30 or in the stored position 74 extending downwardly toward the base 20. The retention arm 70 is held in the deployed position 72 by any conventional manner to secure the retention arm 70 in the deployed position. The retention arm 70 may be secured in the deployed position 72 in a same manner as the support arm 40. The post 30 may be adjusted to align the retention arm 70 to be adjacent with the upper surface 14 of the bed 12 at a desired height to allow access between the bed 12 and retention arm 70.

In use the post 30 inserts into the base coupler 28. The base 12 is placed near the head edge 16 of the bed 12 so that the post 30 is adjacent to the head edge 16. The second section 34 of the post 30 adjusts to the desired height and locks into position using the locking member 38. The support 44 and retention 70 arms each extend away from the post 30 and lock into the deployed position 48 and 72. The screen 60 extends downward from the support arm 44 and attaches to the retention arm 70.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements. 

1. A system for dividing areas of sleep on a bed, said system including: a bed having an upper surface including a head edge and a foot edge positioned opposite of each other; a base having a bottom surface, a top surface, and a base perimeter edge; a base coupler being attached to and extending upwardly from said top surface; a post attached to and extending upward from said base coupler, said post being positioned adjacent to said head edge; and a shield being attached to said post adjacent to an upper end of said post and extending perpendicularly outwardly from said post, said shield extending over said upper surface of said bed to form a barrier between two persons on the bed when said shield is extended over the bed.
 2. The system for dividing areas of sleep on a bed according to claim 1, wherein said base perimeter edge has a circular shape.
 3. The system for dividing areas of sleep on a bed according to claim 1, wherein said base perimeter edge measures between 8.00 and 14.00 inches in diameter.
 4. The system for dividing areas of sleep on a bed according to claim 1, wherein said post is removable from said base coupler.
 5. The system for dividing areas of sleep on a bed according to claim 1, wherein said post includes: a first section engaged with and extending upwardly from said base coupler; a second section being telescopically coupled to and extending upwardly from said first section; and a locking member releasably engaging each of said first and second sections at a selected point relative to each other.
 6. The system for dividing areas of sleep on a bed according to claim 5, wherein said first section has a height between 20.00 and 30.00 inches.
 7. The system for dividing areas of sleep on a bed according to claim 5, wherein said second section has a height between 20.00 and 30.00 inches.
 8. The system for dividing areas of sleep on a bed according to claim 5, wherein said second section has said upper end.
 9. The system for dividing areas of sleep on a bed according to claim 1, wherein said shield includes: a support arm being attached to said post adjacent to said upper end; a screen extending downwardly from within said support arm; and a retention arm being attached to said post and being positioned between said support arm and said base, said retention arm releasably engaging said bottom edge of said screen.
 10. The system for dividing areas of sleep on a bed according to claim 9, wherein said support arm includes: an attached end pivotally coupled to said post such that said support arm is positionable in a deployed position extending outwardly from said post or in a stored position extending downwardly toward said base; and a screen housing extending away from said attached end.
 11. The system for dividing areas of sleep on a bed according to claim 10, wherein said screen housing extends away from said attached end a distance between 10.0 and 15.0 inches.
 12. The system for dividing areas of sleep on a bed according to claim 10, wherein said screen housing is cylindrical in shape.
 13. The system for dividing areas of sleep on a bed according to claim 10, wherein said screen housing has a screen aperture extending within said screen housing through an interior and exterior surface, said screen aperture orientated to open downwardly when said support arm is in said deployed position.
 14. The system for dividing areas of sleep on a bed according to claim 13, wherein said screen aperture has a width between 0.25 and 0.50 inches, said screen aperture has a length between 9.5 and 14.5 inches centered along screen housing.
 15. The system for dividing areas of sleep on a bed according to claim 10, wherein said screen has a bottom edge.
 16. The system for dividing areas of sleep on a bed according to claim 15, wherein a distance from said support arm to said bottom edge is greater than 10.0 inches when said screen is fully deployed from said support arm.
 17. The system for dividing areas of sleep on a bed according to claim 9, wherein said screen is attached to a spindle mounted within said support arm, said spindle is biased to rotate in a first direction, said screen being retracted into said support arm when said spindle rotates in said first direction, said screen being extendable from said support arm when said spindle is rotated in a second direction.
 18. The system for dividing areas of sleep on a bed according to claim 9, wherein said retention arm is pivotally coupled to said post such that said retention arm is positionable in said deployed position extending outwardly from said post or in said stored position extending downwardly toward said base.
 19. The system for dividing areas of sleep on a bed according to claim 16, wherein said retention arm is positioned at least 10.0 inches below said support arm.
 20. A system for dividing areas of sleep on a bed, said system including: a bed having an upper surface including a head edge and a foot edge positioned opposite of each other; a base having a bottom surface, a top surface, and a base perimeter edge, said base perimeter edge having a circular shape, said base perimeter edge measuring between 8.00 and 14.00 inches in diameter, a base coupler being attached to and extending upwardly from said top surface; a post attached to and extending upward from said base coupler, said post being positioned adjacent to said head edge, said post being removable from said base coupler, said post comprising: a first section engaged with and extending upwardly from said base coupler, said first section having a height between 20.00 and 30.00 inches; a second section being telescopically coupled to and extending upwardly from said first section, said second section having a height between 20.00 and 30.00 inches, said second section having an upper end; a locking member releasably engaging each of said first and second sections at a selected point relative to each other; a shield being attached to said post adjacent to said upper end of said post and extending perpendicularly outwardly from said post, said shield extending over said upper surface of said bed to form a barrier between two persons on the bed when said shield is extended over the bed, said shield including: a support arm being attached to said post adjacent to said upper end, said support arm comprising: an attached end pivotally coupled to said post such that said support arm is positionable in a deployed position extending outwardly from said post or in a stored position extending downwardly toward said base; and a screen housing extending away from said attached end a distance between 10.0 and 15.0 inches, said screen housing being cylindrical in shape, said screen housing having a screen aperture extending within said screen housing through an interior and exterior surface, said screen aperture orientated to open downwardly when said support arm is in said deployed position, said screen aperture having a width between 0.25 and 0.50 inches, said screen aperture having a length between 9.5 and 14.5 inches; a screen extending downwardly from within said support arm, said screen having a bottom edge, a distance from said support arm to said bottom edge being greater than 10.0 inches when said screen is fully deployed from said support arm, said screen being attached to a spindle mounted within said support arm, said spindle being biased to rotate in a first direction, said screen being retracted into said support arm when said spindle rotates in said first direction, said screen being extendable from said support arm when said spindle is rotated in a second direction; and a retention arm being attached to said post and being positioned between said support arm and said base, said retention arm releasably engaging said bottom edge of said screen, said retention arm being positioned at least 10.0 inches below said support arm, said retention arm being pivotally coupled to said post such that said retention arm is positionable in said deployed position extending outwardly from said post or in said stored position extending downwardly toward said base. 